Switchboard construction



April 22, 1952 Filed April 7, 1950 WITNESSES:

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INVENTORS Myron J Brown a Felix F. Lukoszewicz.

/%IA'TTORNEY A ril 22, 1952 M. J. BROWN ETAL 2,593,975

SWITCHBOARD CONSTRUCTION Filed April 7, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 oooouooo Hkooooooou' 0000000 ooooooof OFH1FQQOQQOOS IIII IIII

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SWITCHBOARD CONSTRUCTION Filed April 7, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet s Fig.3.

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WITNESSES: INVENTORS V Myron J. Brown 8 W W Felix E Lukuszewicz.

m A W {ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 22, 1952 "SWITCHBOARD CONSTRUCTION Myron J. Brown and Felix F. Lukaszewicz, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignors to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 7, 1950, Serial No. 154,664

8 Claims.

Our invention relates, generally, to switchboards and, moreparticularly, to switchboards commonly known as duplex switchboards of the unit type.

Each unit of a duplex switchboard usually comprises two vertical panels which are disposed back-to-back and spaced apart sufliciently for workmen to enter the space between the front and the rear panels. Control switches, meters, relays and the like are usually mounted on the faces of the switchboard panels to be accessible from the front and the rear of the switchboard. Auxiliary apparatus, such as resistors, reactors, fuses, etc., is usually mounted at the rear of the panels to be accessible only by entering the space between the front and the rear panels. Such an arrangement necessarily requires a relatively large amount of wiring connections, as well as facilities for mounting the auxiliary apparatus.

An object of our invention, generally stated, is to provide a duplex switchboard which shall be simple and efiicient in operation and which may be economically manufactured and installed.

A more specific object oi. our invention is to provide wiring troughs 'for the cross-panel and inter-panel wiring connections of a duplex switchboard.

Another object of our invention is to'provide for readily attaching mounting brackets for auxiliary-apparatus to switchboard panels.

A further object of our invention is to provide for readily separating a duplex switchboard into sections for shipping purposes.

Other objects of our invention will be explained fully hereinafter or will be apparent to those skilled inthe art.

In accordance with our invention, each unit of a multi-unit duplex switchboard is provided with vertically disposed troughs for the vertical wiring on each panel, horizontally disposed troughs for inter-panel wiring between the front and the rear panels of each unit, and additional horizontally disposed troughs for cross-panel wiring between units. Terminal blocks are mounted on the roof of each section for segregating sections into shipping j units. All terminal blocks are accessible from; inside the switchboard structure.

For a better understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure '1 is a view, partly in end elevation and partly in section, of a switchboard structure embodying the principal features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, partly in rear elevation and partly in section of a portion of the switchboard structure, the section being taken'along the line 'II'-II of Fig. 1, portions being broken away 'for clearness;

Fig.3 is a view, in plan, of Fig. 1, portions being broken away for clearance, and

2 Fig. 4is an enlarged view. in section. taken along theline IV-IV of Fig. 2. v

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 2, the structure shown therein comprises three switchboard units l0, II and i2 which are of the duplex type. As shown more clearly in Fig. 1, each unit comprises two vertical panels l3 and I 4 which are disposed back-to-backin spaced relation. lhe panels [3 and M are preferably composed of sheet steel and they may be supported on channel-shaped bases 15.

Switchboard apparatus of the usual type, such as meters or relays [6, may be mounted on the panels. Also, control switches and other control apparatus (not shown) may be mounted on the panels. It is the usual practice in the construction of duplex switchboards to mount apparatus of certain types on the front panels where it is most readily accessible and other apparatus on the rear panels of the duplex units.

As shown, the meters or relays [6 are of the semi-flush mounted type having the cases or housings of the instruments extending a considerable distance to the rear of the switchboard panel. As shown in Fig. 1, the panels I3 and [4 are spaced a sufiicient distance apart to permit a workman to enter the space between the panels, thereby having access to the rear terminals oi. the apparatus mounted on the fronts of the panels as well as to the auxiliary apparatus ll mounted at the rear of the panels. A cover member [8 is provided for each unit'and is attached to the tops of the panels by screws l9.

As explained hereinbefore, switchboards of the duplex type require a relatively large amount of wiring connections, some of which must extend between the apparatus mounted on the front and the rear panels of each unit and some of which extend between apparatus mounted on different units. Also, part of the apparatus must be connected to other apparatus which is located remotely from the switchboard structure.

In order to make these wiring connections in a satisfactory manner and to provide a structure which has a neat appearance when the wiring is completed, it is desirable to provide wiring troughs or gutters for the wiring connections. Such wiring troughs have been provided in the past, but in previous structures the troughs have been of such a design and they have been so located that it is difficult to make the wiring connections when the switchboard is originally built, and it is even more diflicult to make any changes or additions to the wiring connections after the switchboard has been installed.

With a view to overcoming these difficulties we have provided wiring troughs of the type shown in the present structure. As shown most clearly in Fig. 4, the vertical edges of each panel 13 or I4 have rearwardly extending and inturned flanges 2|. As described in the copending application of P. S. Graham and H. Kennedy,

flanges 26 of the vertical wiring troughs.

Serial No. 154,648, filed April 7, 1950, vertical wiring troughs for the panel may be provided by securing a flanged member 22 to the flange 2| of the switchboard panel. Channel-shaped brackets 23 may be attached to the flanges 2| at spaced intervals as shown most clearly in Fig. l. The brackets 23 are spaced from the members 22 to provide a vertically extending trough or gutter for vertically disposed wires 25 as shown in Fig. 1. Cover plates 25 may be attached to the brackets 23 and spaced from an inwardly turned flange 26 on the member 22, thereby providing space for the wires to be brought out of the wiring trough. I

As shown most clearly, in Fig. 2, the flange 25 of each trough member 22 is provided with a plurality of relatively closely spaced holes 2'5. These holes maybe utilized for attaching brackets 28 which support terminal blocks 2%) to which the wires in the vertical troughs may be connected in order to permit these wires to be electrically connected to apparatus mounted remotely from the switchboard structure. The

holes 2? may also be utilized for attaching brack- Y ets 3| to which spaced angle bars 32 may be attached for supporting the auxiliary apparatus such as reactors or resistors ii. The ends of the bars 32 may extend beyond the brackets n thereby providing additional space on the bars for mounting apparatus. As shown in Fig. l, a notch 3|) may be provided in each bracket 3| to permit the heads of the bolts which attach the apparatus units to the bars 32 to slide past the brackets 3|.

If desired, straps or bars 33 may extend from the flange 26 on the wiring trough at one edge of each of the panels to the flange'26 at the other edge. of-the panel and be utilized to support additional terminal blocks 29. Also. as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, fuse blocks 34 may be mounted on angle bars 32, which are attached to brackets 3| which, in turn, are bolted to the Thus, the vertical troughs provide space for the vertical wires and also support terminal blocks and auxiliary apparatus. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a ground bus 35 may also be attached to the flanges 26 near the bottom of the panels.

43. If desired, the other leg of the trough 4| may be welded to the top of the vertical panel It or I 3, as the case may be.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 1, the vertical trough member'22, the horizontal trough member 36 and the horizontal trough member 4| have a common intersection at the edge of the vertical panel, thereby making it possible for vertical wires 24 to enter either the horizontal trough 36 or the horizontal trough ii. The wires which enter the horizontal trough M may extend into the horizontal trough for the adjacent panel or they may be brought out of the horizontal trough 5| across the flange 52 and connected to terminal blocks id which are supported by bars :15 which are attached to the horizontal troughs 35. J

The terminal blocks st may be utilized for so making the connections between units of the switchboard that it may be readily divided into sections suitable ior shipping purposes. Thus, assuming that three units may be shipped as a section, the terminal blocks may be utilized for making the connections between adjacent sections when the switchboard is installed after being shipped to the point of installation.

As shown, the terminal blocks 44 are disposed underneath the cover I? to be accessible from the space between the vertical panels. In fact, all terminal blocks and wiring connections are accessible from the space between the vertical panels. As shown in Fig. 2, adjacent panels may b tied together by connecting bars 45. These structure which may be readily assembled and all .As shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 2, a

horizontally disposed wiring trough 3% is provided at each edge of each vertical panel. The trough St is of a Z-shaped cross-section, and is provided with a flange 3! at each end which may be attached to the flange 25 on the vertical wiring gutter by bolts 38, thereby supporting the horizontal trough. L-shaped brackets 39 may be attached to the trough 33 at spaced intervals to retain the wires in the horizontal trough.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 3, the members 22 and 36 of the vertical and the horizontal troughs, respectively, are disposed in the same vertical plane, thereby permitting the wires 24 to enter the horizontal trough from the vertical trough by merely bending the wires at right angles. Thus, inter-panel connections between the front and the rear panels of each unit may be readily made.

As also shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 3, a horizontally disposed trough member 4| extends between the two vertical troughs for each panel. The trough 6| is generally of a channelshape having a'portion of one leg bent outwardly to form a horizontal flange 2. The trough ii may be supported by attaching one leg to the flange 31 of the horizontal trough 36 by bolts wired in a neat and orderly manner. The wiring troughs for the vertical and horizontal wires are so constructed that the wires may be easily installed in the troughs. Furthermore, the wires, as well as all of the terminal blocks to which the wires are connected, are readily accessible from the space between the vertical panels of the duplex units, thereby making it easy to inspect the wiring or to make changes or additions to the wiring. The switchboard is so constructed that it may be readily divided into sections containing. any desired number of units for shipping purposes. v

Since numerous changes may be made in the above described construction and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the fore going description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a switchboard structure, in combination, a vertical panel having rearwardlyextending flanges at its vertical edges, vertical wiring troughs secured to said flanges, in-turned flanges on said troughs, said in-turned flanges having a plurality of holes therein, oppositely disposed mounting brackets attached to said in-turned flanges at said holes, each mounting bracket having a notch in one end, pairs of spaced horizontally disposed bars secured to said mounting brackets, the ends of said bars extending beyond the mounting brackets, apparatus units supported by said bars, and bolts for attaching said-units to said bars, the heads of said bolts being slidable along said bars through said notches in the mounting brackets.

2. In a duplex switchboard unit, in combination, two vertical panels disposed back-to-back in spaced relation, each panel having a rearwardly extending flange at each one of its vertical edges, a vertically disposed rearwardly extending wiring trough on each panel flange, horizontally disposed wiring troughs extending between oppositely disposed panels at the tops of the vertical troughs, the low-er edge of a horizontal trough and the rear edges of oppositely disposed vertical troughs meeting and said vertical and horizontal troughs having sides in the same vertical plane providing a continuous passageway for wires running in said troughs between said panels, horizontally disposed bars extending between the tops of the horizontally disposed troughs, and terminal blocks attached to said bars, said terminal blocks being above the lower edges of the horizontal troughs and accessible from the space between the vertical panels.

3. In a duplex switchboard unit, in combination, two vertical panels disposed back-to-back in spaced relation, each panel having a rearwardly extending flange at each one or" its vertical edges,

a vertically disposed rearwardly extending flanged wiring trough on each panel flange, horizontally disposed wiring troughs extending between oppositely disposed panels at the tops of the vertical troughs and attached to the flanges on the vertical troughs, the lower edge of a horizontal trough and the rear edges of oppositely disposed vertical troughs meeting and said vertical and horizontal troughs having sides in the same vertical plane providing a continuous passageway for wires running in said troughs between said panels, horizontally disposed bars extending between the horizontally disposed troughs, and terminal blocks supported by said bars, said terminal blocks being accessible from the space between the vertical panels.

4. In a duplex switchboard unit, in combination, two vertical panels disposed back-to back in spaced relation, each panel having a rearwardly extending flange at each one of its vertical edges, a vertically disposed rearwardly extending flanged wiring trough on each panel flange, horizontally disposed wiring troughs extending between oppositely disposed panels at the tops of the vertical troughs and attached to the flanges on the vertical troughs, the lower edge of a horizontal trough and the rear edges of oppositely disposed vertical troughs meeting and said vertical and horizontal troughs having sides in the same vetri-cal plane providing a continuous passageway for wires running in said troughs between said panels, horizontally disposed bars extending between the horizontally disposed troughs, terminal blocks attached to the bottom side of said bars, and additional terminal blocks supported by the vertical troughs, all of said terminal blocks being accessible from the space between the vertical panels.

5. In a duplex switchboard unit, in combination, two vertical panels disposed back-to-back in spaced relation, vertical wiring troughs disposed at the vertical edges of each panel and terminating in spaced relation from the top of the panel, a horizontal wiring trough extending between the tops of the vertical troughs on the same panel and terminating at the tops of the vertical troughs, and additional horizontal wiring troughs extending between oppositely disposed panels at the tops of the vertical troughs, the

vertical trough and the horizontal troughs at one side of each panel having a common meeting point at the top of the vertical trough providing continuous passageways through said troughs for wires.

6. In a duplex switchboard unit, in combination, two vertical panels disposed back-to-bacl: in spaced relation, vertical wiring troughs disposed at the vertical edges of each panel and terminating below the top of the panel, a horizontal wiring trough extending between the tops of the vertical troughs on the same panel and terminating at the tops of the vertical troughs, additional horizontal wiring troughs extending between oppositely dispose panels at the tops of the vertical troughs, the vertical trough and the horizontal troughs at one side of each panel having a common meeting point at the top of the vertical trough providing continuous passageways through said troughs ior wires, and terminal blocks supported by said wiring troughs, said terminal blocks being accessible from the space between the vertical panels.

7. In a duplex switchboard, in combination, a plurality of units each comprising two vertical panels disposed back-to-bacl; in spaced relation, Vertical wiring troughs secured to the panels at their vertical edges and terminating below the tops of the panels, horizontal wiring troughs extending between oppositely disposed panels at the tops of the vertical troughs and attached to said vertical troughs, said vertical and horizontal troughs having sides in the same vertical plane providing continuous passageways for wires running in said troughs between panels, and additional horizontal troughs extending between the tops of the vertical troughs on the same side of the switchboard providing a wire gutter between units, all of said troughs being accessible from the space between the vertical panels.

8. In a duplex switchboard, in combination, a plurality of units each comprising two vertical panels disposed back-to-back in spaced relation, vertical wiring troughs secured to the panels at their vertical edges and terminating below the tops of the panels, horizontal wiring troughs extending between oppositely disposed panels at the tops of the vertical troughs and attached to said vertical troughs, said vertical and horizontal troughs having sides in the same vertical plane providing continuous passageways for wires running in said troughs between panels, additional horizontal troughs extending between the tops of the vertical troughs on the same side of the switchboard providing a wire gutter between units, all of said troughs being accessible from the space between the vertical panels, and terminal blocks mounted at the top of the switchboard, said horizontal troughs having flanged edges over which wires run to said terminal blocks.

MYRON J. BROWN. FELIX F. LUKASZEWICZ.

REFEREIICES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,140,376 Anderson Dec. 13, 1938 2,363,327 Hodgkins Nov. 21, 1944 2,427,742 Peterson Sept. 23, 1947 2,467,828 Hodgkins Apr. 19, 1949 

